The Ethiopia Mapping Agency (EMA) 

Profesional services

EMA is the sole legal autonomous federal government surveying and mapping organization (in remotely sensed data, acquisitions and processing geodetic networks, topographic maps, aerial photography and other related geo- information). EMA has a large archive of aerial photographs, remotely sensed data and topographic mapsand data.

EMA is awarded by the International Society for Photogrmmetry and Remote Sensing (ISPRS) for applying and promoting geo information science in the continent. In addition, there are many awards and letters of appreciation and recognition from different national, regional and international geo information association (surveying, remote sensing, cartography and etc). EMA, to up keep up date and enhance its competitiveness in geo information science, is a member of many national regional and international geo information associations.

EMA is, the main data sources for topographic and thematic maps like:
1:2,000,000, 1:1,000,000, 1:250,000, 1:50,000, 1:10,000, 1:2,000 and related geo-information.

Since 1980, EMA has been giving a six-month training in advanced certificate level on mapping and geo information.

The main task of Ethiopian Mapping Agency is to co-ordinate the entire national requirements for aerial photographs, in the preparation of technical specification for the required aerial photography, control and monitoring of the work, accomplish the film processing and documentation activities.

Mapping Directorate

2D and 3D Photogrammetry Teams

• Photo interpretation
• Aerial triangulation adjustment
• Orthopoto maps production,
• Data capturing for medium and small scale line map production
• DTM generation
• Line map production for large scale projects.

Topography Team

The roll of topography team is checking the topological structure of line maps produced through photogrammetric technique and representing cartographically. In addition, it performs analogue line map conversion in to digital format as well as map revision. As a result, it provides:

• 1:50,000 & 1:250,000 soft and hard copy
• Prepare thematic map and special purpose maps according to customer request
• Provides line map scanning service.
• Provides Geo-referencing of scanned line maps.

Reprography Team

• Processing of aerial films and the production of high quality negatives, diapositives and contact prints for mapping and image interpretation.
• A wide range camera process products.
• Enlargement and reduction of maps, charts, plans, and aerial photographs.
• Film and paper printing from aerial films using SPEK contact printer.
• Graphic film production using horizontal process camera.
• Graphic reproduction and preparation of maps and other documents in reproducible format.
• Computerized photo-setting system for graphic representation.
• Editing and graphic representation of geographic information to fit in the reproducible media and the printing machine.
• Printing different maps with different scales and other publications using two-unit color printing offset machine for governmental and non-governmental organizations.

Survey Directorate

All geo-spatial data, in one-way or another; relays on survey inputs to uniquely identify the geographical location of individual feature. The geographical location of a feature is determined through surveying process. The process includes data capturing, data processing and presentation. Map is one way of presentation.

Control points coordinates

• Coordinates, geographic;UTM, along with control point descriptions are provided if clients need their project to be tied to the national grid system
• Topographic, Thematic, Cadastral and Engineering surveying and maps preparation are performed according to customer's scale and detail distribution requirement.
• Consulting in surveying areas.
• Surveying instruments maintenance service

Remote Sensing and GIS Directorate

• Digital and analogue image processing and interpretation for the application of natural resources management,
• impact assessment,
• map revision,
• environment system monitoring and change assessment,
• Agriculture, geological, hydro- geological, early warning system, and food security.

Information Technology Directorate

• Database Management
• Network Administration
• Software Development
• System Administration
• Maintenance Service on repairing
• Adjustement of Opti-mechanical and opti-electronic surveeying instrument
• Computer Software, hardware and related accessories.